"You can be sure you'll see all of our famous players. It's very, very important to go to the United States. The United States is rising in soccer. . . . As Real Madrid we want to [be a part of it]."

Chicago was chosen for the game because of its response toward international exhibitions in the past, said Ivan Gazidis, MLS deputy commissioner and president of Soccer United Marketing International, a sister organization that, among other responsibilities, organizes international matches in the U.S.

Real Madrid seldom makes appearances in the United States, having played here just 11 times, including a 0-0 draw against Italy's Roma in front of more than 70,000 at Giants Stadium in 2002.

Before that it played four exhibitions in 1990..

This will be Madrid's first appearance in Chicago.

"It's a unique, first-time, and quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Gazidis said. "Real Madrid is a team as unprecedented as any in the history of the game. It has more worldwide-renowned players than any team in the world."

Chivas Guadalajara, which has a record 10 Mexican league titles, is no slouch either.

Currently it is the favorite for the Copa Libertadores title as champion of Latin America soccer.

Chivas could be coming to Chicago on a title high because the final game will be played July 13.

Either way, it should be a highly competitive game. Gazidis told a story Thursday of how "deadly serious" Chivas took a 2002 friendly against MLS all-stars that the MLS won 3-1.

"Everyone put everything on the line to win that, and that's what they're going to bring to Chicago," Gazidis said. "It's going to be a terrific atmosphere."

Tickets for the doubleheader, ranging from $40 to $125, go on sale noon Saturday through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com or 312-559-1212.